Issue 24, 2007

Aqueous-phase asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones – a greener approach to chiral alcohols

Abstract

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) has emerged as a practical, powerful alternative to asymmetric hydrogenation for the production of chiral alcohols, one of the most valuable intermediates in chemical synthesis. In the last a few years, ATH in neat water has proved to be viable, affording chiral alcohols in fast rates, high productivity and high enantioselectivity. The reduction can be carried out with unmodified or tailor-made catalysts by using mild, readily available formate salt as reductant with no organic solvents required, thus providing a simple, economic and green pathway for alcohol production. This Feature Article attempts to present an account of the progress made on aqueous-phase transfer hydrogenation (TH) reactions, with a focus on ATH. The coverage includes a brief background of the chemistry, TH and ATH reactions in water, and the mechanistic aspects of the aqueous-phase reduction.

Graphical abstract: Aqueous-phase asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones – a greener approach to chiral alcohols

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
15 Kax 2006
Accepted
17 Qun 2007
First published
23 Nah 2007

Chem. Commun., 2007, 2449-2466

Aqueous-phase asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones – a greener approach to chiral alcohols

X. Wu and J. Xiao, Chem. Commun., 2007, 2449 DOI: 10.1039/B618340A

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